Pledge commitment to fiscal responsibility, keeping county taxes low

MEDIA, PA – The Delaware County Republican Party today announced its list of endorsed candidates in the 2013 primary election for Delaware County Council, the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, and the row office positions of Sherriff, Register of Wills, and Controller. 

Municipal party leaders from throughout Delaware County – representing the interests of their respective committee people – met earlier this month to consider potential nominees and endorse the best qualified candidates. The endorsed candidates, with link to their respective resumes, are:

• Judge of the Court of Common Pleas: William “Chip” Mackrides
• Judge of the Court of Common Pleas: Richard M. Cappelli
• Delaware County Council: Mario J. Civera
• Delaware County Council: David J. White
• Delaware County Sheriff: Mary McFall Hopper
• Delaware County Controller: Edward E. O'Lone
• Register of Wills: Jennifer Holsten Maddaloni

“We have an excellent group of candidates for Delaware County Council and our row offices with years of local and municipal government experience who can provide real leadership as county government continues to struggle with decreased state and federal funding as a result of the weakened economy,” said Andy Reilly, Chairman of the Delaware County Republican Party.  “County government is consistently being asked to do more with less and our endorsed candidates have the background we need in this challenging fiscal environment.”

“Our judicial candidates come from distinguished legal backgrounds and are well suited to serve the public as judges on the Court of Common Pleas,” said Reilly.  “They possess the integrity and a deliberate approach to the law that the public values in our judges.”

William “Chip” Mackrides, candidate for the Court of Common Pleas is the principal of the law firm Mackrides Associates. Mackrides has practiced law in Delaware County for nearly thirty-four years and currently serves as Vice-President of the Delaware County Bar Association. Mackrides has served as an Edgmont Township Supervisor since 1999, is past president of the Rose Tree Media Education Foundation and serves as a Solicitor to the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office. 
 
Richard M. Cappelli has more than 20 years of experience as a magisterial district judge and over 30 years of legal experience. As a Child Advocate for Delaware County, Cappelli established the first program in Pennsylvania totally dedicated to investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases. Cappelli is the past President of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania (SCJAP), former Director of the Delaware County Bar Association, and past President of the Delaware County District Justice Association.

Mario J. Civera has more than 37 years of experience in state and local government and currently serves as Vice Chairman of Delaware County Council.  Mario served his country with distinction in the United State Air Force and has been a self-employed businessman since 1971. Civera served as a member of the State House of Representatives from 1980 through 2010 was elected twice by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, where he was responsible for helping to craft Pennsylvania’s annual budget of about $28 billion. 

David J. White was appointed to Delaware county Council in January 2012 to fill the unexpired term of Jack Whelan who was elected Delaware County District Attorney.  Prior to his appointment, White served as a member of the Ridley Township Board of Commissioners for 18 years, including 4 years as Vice President of the board.  White has more than 30 years of experience in the contracting industry, including 7 years as a small business owner. He is a long-time member of Steamfitters Local 420.

Mary McFall Hopper, the endorsed candidate for sheriff, possesses an extensive legal background and currently serves as regulatory counsel for Aqua America, where she represents the company before the state Public Utility Commission and in other regulatory matters.  A longtime resident of Ridley Park, Hopper has served as President, Vice-President and Finance Chair of Borough Council. Mary is also a member of the Delaware County Women’s Commission and has volunteered her time with a variety of community, educational, and youth organizations.

Edward O’Lone is seeking re-election as Delaware County Controller, a position he was first elected to by voters in 2010.  O’Lone is a Certified Public Accountant with an extensive background in finance.  He previously served as Financial Administrator for the Vanguard Group and currently serves as Finance Director for Marple Township. O’Lone is an active member of the Government Finance Officers Association and volunteers his time with his parish and church community. 

Jennifer Holsten Maddaloni is an attorney at the law firm of Holsten & Associates.  During her career, Jennifer has represented the Office of the District Attorney, the Sheriff’s Department, the Office of the Public Defender, and numerous police officers and police departments.  She frequently serves on Arbitration Panels of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas and previously served as the solicitor for the Domestic Relations Section of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.